Peninsula State Senator Leads Clean Energy Push

SACRAMENTO – A newly sworn state senator is a leading a push to advance the state's clean energy goals.

Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, introduced two measures last week that aim to accelerate California's drive to 100 percent clean energy and carbon neutrality.

The Peninsula Democrat introduced SB 67 and SB 68 Monday on his first day in office.

SB 67 aims to help the state reach its goal of 100 percent clean energy ahead of its 2045 goal. It requires utilities to expand their use of renewable energy sources.

SB 68 aims to accelerate the development of all-electric buildings.

“We must speed our move to 100 percent clean energy, Becker said in a statement.

SB 67 calls for a 24/7 Clean Energy Standard to ensure that more of California’s electricity comes from renewable or other zero-carbon sources as the state transitions to 100 percent clean-sourced electricity.

A 24/7 Clean Energy Standard would require utilities to provide an increasing share of clean electricity during times of day and seasons when the percentage used is typically low.

Currently, at night and during other hard-to-serve times, the dependency on fossil fuel power plants increases.

SB 67 also aims to reach 100 percent clean-sourced electricity earlier than the current 2045 target and directs state regulators to establish a system for tracking provision and consumption of clean electricity to ensure accountability.

“We can and must achieve this,” Becker said.

Two years ago, state lawmakers passed the California Clean Energy Act, setting a target of sourcing 100 percent of electricity from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2045.

Senator Becker pointed out that California reached 36 percent renewable energy by 2019, easily topping an interim target of 33 percent by 2020.

Electricity from all-clean, zero-carbon sources reached 63 percent in 2019, he said.

“To put our clean electricity goals in further context, President-elect Biden is talking about a 2035 goal of 100 percent clean electricity nationwide, and before leaving office, Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order for California’s entire economy to be 100 percent carbon neutral by 2045.

“We must move faster to reach those goals. My legislation will get us there.”

On his first day in office, Senator Becker also introduced SB 68 to reduce emissions and use of fossil fuels in structures by making it easier to create all-electric buildings.

SB 68 is aimed at lowering the barriers that make it hard to upgrade electrical service panels or accommodate additional electrical appliances within existing service panels.

In homes, for example, SB 68 would make it easier to switch to electric models when a furnace or water heater needs replacing.

SB 67 and SB 68 are Becker’s first bills to help reduce the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in California.

More than 60 percent come from electricity generation, buildings and transportation. Introduced as intent legislation, the bills will become more detailed during the legislative process.

“SB 67 and SB 68 signal my deep commitment to strong climate policy for our state,” Becker said.